LDS church steps up opposition to Utah medical marijuana initiative

Temple Square consists of the Salt Lake Temple, the Tabernacle, the Assembly Hall and two visitors' centers, Salt Lake City, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints redoubled its opposition to the medical cannabis ballot initiative Friday with the release of a legal analysis that “raises grave concerns” about the consequences the initiative may have if passed by voters in November.

The proposed Utah Medical Marijuana Initiative is a matter of great controversy in this state,” the LDS church said in a statement. “The negative effects and consequences of marijuana use on individuals, families, and society at large are well-known. There are also those who claim that it has medicinal benefits for those in some circumstances.”

Read more: This St. George family hopes their child’s experience will make you think differently about medical cannabis

The LDS church hired the Kirton McConkie law firm to conduct an analysis of the medical cannabis ballot initiative. The analysis produced a seven-page document listing over 30 points outlining what the ballot initiative may allow if passed.

We wanted to know what the initiative would actually do, if adopted,” the church stated. “That memorandum raises grave concerns about this initiative and the serious adverse consequences that could follow if it were adopted. We invite all to read the attached memorandum and to make their own judgment.”

The Kirton McConkie memorandum, as well as the ballot initiative, are available for download in the Resources section at the end of this article.

The LDS church made its opposition to the ballot initiative known in April when it publicly supported the Utah Medical Association’s statement against the initiative.

Davis Cromar, center, holds his son Holden, 10, who suffers from epilepsy, while standing with other patients, caregivers and supporters during the Utah Patients Coalition news conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 26, 2017 | Associated Press file photo by Rick Bowmer, St. George News

Read more: LDS Church supports opposition to medical marijuana ballot initiative

Gov. Gary Herbert has said he will “actively oppose” the medical cannabis initiative, as he believes it to be “significantly flawed” and will open up the way for recreational marijuana use in Utah.

“It lacks important safeguards regarding its production and utilization and would potentially open the door to recreational use,” the governor said, adding he believes the ballot initiative, no matter how well-intended, will do more harm than good.

The Utah Patients Coalition, the group behind the ballot initiative, issued a response to the LDS church’s statement Friday:

“We anticipate a healthy debate in the public square about the merits of the Utah Medical Cannabis Act leading up to November’s vote. We respect the opinions of those who disagree and look forward to rebutting their fear-based arguments in the months ahead.

“In the mean time, we agree with Governor Herbert that this is an important debate to be had, and echo Lieutenant Governor Cox’s caution not to sign any signature removal forms from people knocking on doors.

“Current law has ‘serious adverse consequences’ for thousands of sick patients who are either illegally using cannabis to improve their health, or those who want to but suffer to obey the law. Our tightly controlled proposal – one of the most conservative in the country – preserves the doctor-patient relationship and ensures that those who need this God-given plant for medicinal purposes can use it without fear of criminal punishment.”

The Utah Patients Coalition is also filing notice that it intends to sue opponents of the initiative who are asking people to remove their signatures in a last-minute push to keep the issue off the ballot.

Read more: Video shows anti-medical cannabis canvasser making false statements about ballot initiative

The Patients Coalition said Friday that canvassers are misleading people into taking their names off the petition. The opposition, Drug Safe Utah, denies using any fraudulent claims to make its case.

The threat comes as the battle over the issue heats up in conservative Utah. Earlier this week, opponents filed a complaint saying a medical-marijuana advocate tried to illegally buy voters’ signature-removal forms. The Patients Coalition said he was trying to legally buy opponents’ data to undo the fraud they’d spread.

The Associated Press contributed to this story

Resources

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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61 Comments

  • John May 11, 2018 at 8:23 pm

    Even if it passes, try finding a Dr. in this state that will write you an Rx for it. Good luck with that !

  • Walter1 May 11, 2018 at 9:18 pm

    I really don’t see much difference between LDS and FLDS. Isn’t the FLDS the same as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young’s original polygamous LDS church?

    • John May 11, 2018 at 9:39 pm

      Walter, what is your pointless point? FLDS has nothing to do with it. Keep your bigotry to yourself or we will have Jeff take his hand out of your back!

    • comments May 11, 2018 at 10:30 pm

      The FLDS polygamous mormons have much more in common with the original church founded by Smith and carried on by Young than modern LDS mormons. I believe the biggest difference with FLDS vs. the original mormons is that I never really have heard of Smith or Young or other leaders taking on “wives” younger than young teens, whereas FLDS basically have it ingrained into their culture the “marriage” and sexual abuse and rape of children 12 and younger. I can tell you that different types and eras of mormonism have always been a “sex cults” of sorts, but most definitely FLDS mormonism is nothing more than a pedophile child rape cult. Child sexual abuse may very well have been as rampant in the pioneer era LDS church as is has been in the recent history of the FLDS, but I’ve not heard about it if that’s the case.

      • comments May 11, 2018 at 10:39 pm

        But things like that weren’t exactly written down it the pioneer era church. So it’s something that likely cannot be known. Sort of how the actual perpetrators of the mountain meadows massacre were never publicly identifies or brought to justice. The LDS church has a very dark and violent history. This stuff is not taught in sunday school. I’m a mormon and very well studies in the church’s history, and it’s not easy to study because the church is very secretive with so many historical records–many of them have never been accessible by the public.

        • comments May 11, 2018 at 10:43 pm

          The bottom line is that the LDS church throughout it’s history has never been immune to the very worst of human nature. And for top leaders, who were effectively considered gods on earth, there was, really, no limits to the things they could get away with in the Utah territories. In many ways the power structure within the early church amplified and enabled the worst of human nature among the leaders, similar to what we’ve seen with creatures like Warren Jeffs. But again, I’ve not read anything about rampant pedophilia within the early church, so it’s anyone’s guess…

    • LocalDad May 12, 2018 at 10:02 am

      People are trying to have an actual conversation about something important here. So let quickly answer your question. “No one cares.” what do think about medical marijuana… Stay focussed.

  • comments May 11, 2018 at 10:51 pm

    if medical cannabis could be made into some sort of MLM scam the church may warm to it. Until then the church will side heavily with orrin hatch and the companies that manufacture synthetic opioids. Approving natural substances that can be grown anywhere, are nearly free to cultivate, and can be every bit as effective as addictive pharmaceuticals IS SIMPLY BAD FOR BUSINESS. LDS church doesn’t play around when it comes to $$$. $$$ will take priority of the well-being of the public if LDS inc. gets to decide.

  • thoughts1 May 12, 2018 at 1:19 am

    I hope Utahns will make an effort to really understand what this initiative is about. Please take time to read the details of it.

    I’m grateful the LDS church had the legal analysis done, in order for each of us to have better insight into what the initiative entails.

    My teenage son who is a talented athlete, (was working towards earning a football scholarship), a gifted musician (self taught guitarist and pianist, with an amazing singing voice) a leader, a very well liked young man, who did well in school and had hopes of one day attending medical school, is now a different person. After experimenting with marijuana in hopes of relieving depression symptoms, he is now addicted to marijuana.

    Marijuana addiction just like other drug addictions change a person. Although marijuana has proven to this point not be deadly, it has the potential for causing other serious issues, especially for teens who still have a developing brain. In addition, Marijuana addiction can cause school failure, legal trouble, stealing, ruined relationships, loss of interest in goals and hobbies among others, because the drug starts to control the persons life.

    I understand there are those who feel marijuana helps medicinally. I’m not naive to this issue. In fact I have a brother who is a physician in the field of neurology and pain management, so I do have an understanding of the medicinal claims. However, more research needs to be done to ensure the safety of medical marijuana.

    Please be cautious aboout this issue. Because marijuana is being promoted as medicine by so many, our teenagers are justifying its use recreationally.

    Any family no matter your religious background, ethnic background, or financial background can be effected by teenage marijuana addiction. Even families who seem to have the most ideal of circumstances.

    Marijuana, just like other drug addictions, is heartbreaking. It can have a major impact on families. I don’t want to see more of these teens who have such a promising future, get caught in the grips of addiction.

    For the sake of the rising generation, let’s please use safety and caution when making decisions concerning marijuana.

    • DRT May 12, 2018 at 9:05 am

      Sounds to me like just another person who is looking to divert blame for their kid. It’s not HIS fault, it’s that doggone maryjawana that caused all his problems.
      Balony!

    • LocalDad May 12, 2018 at 10:12 am

      I’m sorry about your son. I find though, in church culture, you’re probably making something out of nothing…. You probably don’t even listen to his thoughts anymore, just discount them as drug induced complaints that mean nothing, it’s easier than facing the facts… Utah has the highest suicide rate for people like your son and it’s just as likely marijuana saved his life considering that every other “legal” treatment says right on the bottle, (may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts) now you probably ignore his ideas, just to protect your opinion… No doubt he’s a different person, his depression hasn’t won. Depression is a real killer of Utah’s sons! It’s too bad his parents probably placate to him now, smile and be kind but never really listen…it’s the drugs talking anyway. Well maybe that’s all that’s keeping him from joining the stats.

      • thoughts1 May 12, 2018 at 11:41 am

        @localdad
        I appreciate your concern, but I am very aware of suicide and depression and their devastating impacts. I have experienced it myself, and I’ve experienced it with my other children. I’ve written articles about my experience with it. It’s unfortunately an issue that runs in my family. So I do have a very clear understanding of what it entails.

        My son knows and we have told him on many occasions that he is more important than any challenge he might have. Loving our kids is the most important thing we can do for them whether they’re using drugs or not.

        You also need to be aware that marijuana can actually make depression worse and cause other psychotic problems.

        We are doing everything possible to help our son in every aspect of his life, so that he can find happiness, and in the process making sure he knows he is ALWAYS loved. That’s ultimately what life is about.

    • comments May 12, 2018 at 11:02 am

      Would you prefer he be addicted to synthetic opioids? heroin? meth? The fact is your son likely has a personality that would cause him to form a cannabis habit. You are blaming a plant for your son’s addictive personality. Maybe he is not this high achiever that has a future as a physician. Maybe he’ll end up joining the army or becoming an auto mechanic. Those are not prestigious like some fancy doctor, but maybe those are your dreams and not his. And a failure in parenting? I wouldn’t rule that out either. It’s a plant. It’s been used by humans for 1000s of years now. Are you the same one that posted all the other little anecdotes on other cannabis related stories? I can’t remember. Stop blaming everything else and a plant for your son’s failures. The problem is him, and the problem is also you.

      • comments May 12, 2018 at 11:05 am

        And I get this ‘holier than thou’ impression off of you, like I have many arrogant LDS’ers. Your family is not gonna turn out all ‘perfect perfect happy happy’ like some LDS magazine cover. That’s one reason people have a problem with us LDS’er is the smugness of some of you. You need to get over yourself. Really.

        • thoughts1 May 12, 2018 at 1:10 pm

          @comments
          You must not understand that there’s a difference between a marijuana user and a marijuana addict.

          You may use marijuana and not have a probelem with it, but that’s not the case with everyone. Teenagers justify using marijuana becuase so many of you claim it is harmless, and they are the most likely group to become addicted to it.
          Addiciton is a problem whether a person is religious or not. It has everything to do with living a happy, healthy, and productive life.
          Im sorry you don’t like what I have to say, but other parents need to be aware of the potential harmful side of marijuana.

          From marijuana anonymous.org:
          “A marijuana addict’s life is controlled by marijuana. He or she loses interest in all else, their dreams go up in smoke. Marijuana addiction is a progressive illness often leading to addiction to other drugs, including alcohol. The lives, thinking and desires of marijuana addicts center around marijuana–scoring it, dealing it and finding ways to stay high.”

          I don’t care if my son is a doctor or not. He can choose what he wants to do for a Profession. But I do want him to have the ability to live a happy and fulfilled life. Addiction will not do that for a person.

          • comments May 12, 2018 at 1:49 pm

            I don’t doubt that it can become addictive. About any drug or habit can become addictive. But to say that all the world’s cannabis should be banned because your boy became a dope addict is narrow minded in my opinion. I had someone in my extended family (we were not close) become addicted to synthetic opiates and eventually OD on them. Your son, from what I understand, has 0 chance of OD’ing on cannabis. If your boy has just become an unmotivated slacker dopehead there is prob more to blame than the simple plant. That’s usually how it works. Does he hang around doper friends? Are his doper friends supplying/selling him the dope. Drug users (even cannabis) usually hang around people with the same habits and they encourage these habits among each other. Be glad your doper son hasn’t moved onto harder drugs I suppose, because that’s what often happens with these “drug crews”. Maybe LBA can tell you her story about how her son started hanging around druggy friends and drug crews and eventually became a meth addict. And maybe you don’t even mean to come off as smug, but you do.

          • ladybugavenger May 12, 2018 at 4:12 pm

            I never blamed meth. I always blamed my son. It wasnt meth that caused him to do bad thing. It was his heart. He did not have a heart for God.

            It’s in the top 5 trials and tribulations that I’ve been through that rocked me to the core. But I never gave up on my son. I tried to have him arrested, more than once, to no avail. But it eventually happened, i was happy he got arrested. Then they let him out on probation. He continued his wicked ways. then the failed drug test while on probation put him back in Clark County jail in Nevada, on his 21st birthday. I went down to vegas for his birthday. He didnt show up to the casino. I checked the bookings, went to the jail, they showed me his photo. As a mom, it hurt. But I never stopped praying for him.

            I went to the jail to visit a few weeks later. I talked to him via video chat at the jail.

            I asked him if he was done. He said yes. I said, are you ready to accept Jesus and be forgiven for your sins against God and your parents. He said, yes. I said the sinners prayer (in my own words) and he repeated it.

            They sentenced him to rehab. Where after 2 months, they restarted the 6 program over from the beginning for missing church.

            I wrote him almost every day. I begged him and with all my might pleaded with him not walk out. (My words, probably went void like they always did before) but the holy spirit wouldn’t let him walk out.

            My husband and I visited him. It’s a strict program at th Salvation Army Rehab Center. Many walk out but my son didn’t.

            I asked him why he didnt walk out. He said, if I walked out I would have been lost forever.

            Hes been clean and sober for 3 years. A changed man. A new man. The man he was as always suppose to be but was not because of abandonment issues and probably 10 more issues everyone goes through.

            Peoples hearts are broken at a young age and some find drugs to ease the pain. But it’s not drugs that are the problem. The problem to be solved and answered is, why did you take that drug to begin with? And I guarantee you there are 2 answers 1. I was in pain-emotionally, spiritually, physically, mentally (or any combination therof.
            2. I was there and I tried it and the first hit I was addicted.

            God changed my son.

            For the commenter regarding the son: I’m not sure that your son is not doing alcohol, meth or heroin, or pills. Maybe all you want to admit Is marijuana. I have seen marijuana take someone down on it’s own. I’ve known many that graduated college and were smoking pot the whole time. You need to get a little more in tune, your son is going something other than smoking pot.

            The most heartfelt sentence to me is “If I would have walked out, I would have been lost forever.” Only God can make someone feel and know that.

            To my atheist friends, please be kind to me.

          • ladybugavenger May 12, 2018 at 4:29 pm

            I’m very proud of my son! In fact, he flew to oklahoma to surprise me and we spent the whole weekend together. (Of course, hes still my kid, at 24, so I used his strength and muscles and he gladly helped my husband build new stairs going up to my above ground pool) next time, maybe I wont put him to work (doubt it tho lol) he loves his momma!

          • ladybugavenger May 12, 2018 at 7:12 pm

            It was suppose to say: I have not seen marijuana take down anyone on own.

            Miss one word and the whole meaning changes….oopsie

    • Billy Bob Ray May 13, 2018 at 11:08 am

      I smoked marijuana pretty much daily from the time I was 19 until I turned 46. During that time I was a 4.0/4.0 point college student, got a job at a Fortune 100 company and worked my way to middle management. The reason I stopped smoking marijuana when I did was that the company I worked at announced they were starting random drug testing. I ran out of my last supply of marijuana approximately 8-10 weeks prior to the date they had indicated they would start testing. No withdrawal symptoms, no driving need to continue smoking it, no suicidal tendencies, nothing. I just quit. That was 26 years ago and I haven’t smoked it since nor have I felt any need to do so. No problems.

      Everything I had ever read about the subject has indicated that marijuana is not physiologically addictive as opiates and alcohol are. There is a psychological addictiveness, but nothing very major. Anyone who is smoking it can quit as easily as I did if they decide they want to. Other people I knew at the company who smoked marijuana at the time had pretty much the same experience I did. They had good careers and they quit smoking without incident.

      I’m sure there will be some naysayers regarding what I have written. That’s OK. I can only assure you that the experience I had and others I have known was the same.

      • mesaman May 13, 2018 at 2:02 pm

        Hooray! Your story will change the entire argument against marijuana. The “psychological addictiveness” you refer to is termed; dependency and the longer the use the more dependent you become attracted to it and its effects on you. Quitting its use is similar to quitting smoking. And as you say; “Anyone who is smoking it can quit as easily as I did (hooray) if they decide they want to. That is a patently and totally stupid statement.

        • Billy Bob Ray May 14, 2018 at 1:07 am

          Quitting marijuana was a total walk in the park compared to when I quit tobacco. I was about a 30 year user. Quitting tobacco spanned over about ten years to do with 6-7 different attempts. Then finally they came out with nicotine containing e-cigs which made it piece of cake, first attempt to quit. I switched from tobacco to e-cigs to totally stopping over a 3-4 month period. It was totally effortless. FYI, I have read that quitting tobacco is about as difficult to quitting cocaine….

      • comments May 13, 2018 at 6:22 pm

        I almost wonder if “thoughts1” would prefer her doper son to be addicted to opioids rather than dope. It would at least make him a legitimate addict.

    • PatriotLiberal May 14, 2018 at 9:20 am

      You need to stop making excuses for your son. His choices, not marijuana or anything else, got him where he is today.

  • John May 12, 2018 at 3:49 am

    Pointless bigoted comments.

    • comments May 12, 2018 at 10:51 am

      i love how even right-wing nutters will throw around idiotic leftist retorts and nonsensical labels like “bigot” when confronted with how absurd their religion is.

      • John May 13, 2018 at 12:56 am

        I only call BIGOTS BIGOTS, hahahahahahaha! BIGOT!

      • John May 13, 2018 at 10:59 am

        Hey BIGOT! (comments) just so you know, you are the one putting someone down because of their religion. That makes you a BIGOT ! “big·ot
        noun
        a person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions.

        • comments May 13, 2018 at 7:48 pm

          I’m a mormon. Have been since 8 years old. Figure I have a right to critique my own religion, johnboy. You should try studying actual LDS history and not just the prepackaged canned stuff taught to you in sunday school. Might do you good.

          • ladybugavenger May 13, 2018 at 8:21 pm

            Bob, how can you be mormon if you dont believe what they believe, you dont practice the belief, you dont do the mormon things?. Didnt you denounce the religion?
            You’re a self proclaimed, “atheist”

            Are you simply referring that you are still on the mormon books? Because my friend, you are not mormon lol

          • ladybugavenger May 13, 2018 at 8:23 pm

            You have more Christian values than you do atheism. All you need now is Jesus ?

          • John May 13, 2018 at 8:44 pm

            It still doesn’t mean you are not a bigot ! All you are is a failed Mormon.. Nothing more than a bitter failure. Just for your info. I’m not LDS. I actually see stuff for what it is. Unlike you who cries about everything !

          • comments May 13, 2018 at 8:49 pm

            LBA, I’ve been on the books since 8 years old. That makes me an official member. You don’t have to believe any of it to be a member. I’m not values by the LDS church AT ALL because I don’t pay. They don’t bother me and they don’t try to “reactivate” me because they know I won’t pay. I have in the past attended their social club they call a church–the full 3 hour block. I guess it’s a bit like a catholic in the sense you don’t have to believe any of it to call yourself a catholic. As far as the whole christian thing, that’s just a boat I can’t get fully aboard at this point in life. I’m simply not convinced. I consider myself an “atheist” rather than, ya know, an atheist because I really really hate the value system of most atheists. They disgust me actually. Their nihilism is just more than I can tolerate.

          • ladybugavenger May 14, 2018 at 9:34 am

            Oh! I see! Lol….I will never join a church that makes me sign a membership card. It’s cultish.

            Whatever you are Bob, just know that you are not defined by a membership. ?

            Be you boo lol

  • SSTEED May 12, 2018 at 4:28 am

    Do what is right, let the consequence follow. Battle for freedom in spirit and might; and with stout hearts look ye forth till tomorrow. God will protect you so do what is right.

    • reddirt May 12, 2018 at 12:15 pm

      When you speak of freedom, it is exactly the ability to choose, which the church’s stand would appear to be narrow and inflexible on this subject. Utah appears to be leading the way in the use of sedatives and tranquilizers, such as valium and prozac and a good portion of this is consumed by “good” church going members. Probably has alot to do with unrealistic expectations of performance and perfection that the individual feels both in the family and the ward. Does this make that person evil or weak? Do unto others as you would have done to you, when you seek to impose your will over anothers, is true love present? What is right for you may not be for another, we are all for the most part a product of our experience and upbringing, would that I could share with you the many times I have unpacked my suitcase of absoloute truths only to find with experience and time that some of them don’t fit any more. Far be it from me to be the arbiter of deciding for someone else what they can use to aleviate their pain. just the same as I am ill equiped to offer advice to anyone else on how to handle their stress or lifestyle. It’s all well and good to stand on a soap box and proclaim that I don’t need it , therefore no one else should as well. But I can say that I know personally people with chronic conditions of pain or end of life pain that have gotten tremendous relief using marijuana. Allow others the same right to choose as you would want for yourself, that my friend is the consequence you should freely offer.

      • comments May 12, 2018 at 1:52 pm

        thoughts1, I suspect this comment was directed at you.

  • tcrider May 12, 2018 at 8:52 am

    This seems to be like the self-righteous are trying to control how people should think and make decisions and they, (the self righteous) believe the one and only
    reason for the initiative is to open the doors to the devils work-shop, when in reality the option is a constitutional right to enable citizens to have more choices about who they can vote for.
    This issue is not about weed, it is about enabling tax paying citizens to nominate who they want instead of certain church approved options.
    attached is a copy of the process as described in wikipedia:
    Each U.S. State has its own ballot access laws to determine who may appear on ballots. According to the Elections Clause in Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution, the authority to regulate the time, place, and manner of federal elections is up to each State, unless Congress legislates otherwise.

    The primary argument put forward by States for restricting ballot access has been the presumption that setting ballot access criteria too low would result in numerous candidates on the ballot, splitting the votes of similar minded voters. Example: With Plurality voting, an old but common way to pick the winner, the candidate with the most votes wins, even if the candidate does not have a majority of the votes. Suppose 55% liberals and 45% conservatives vote in a district. If two candidates appeal to liberals, but only one appeals to conservatives, the votes of liberals will likely split between the two liberal candidates, for example 25% may vote for one and 30% for the other, giving the conservative the office although 55% preferred to see a liberal in the office. Plurality races, also known as First past the post, tend to cause consolidation among political parties for this reason. However, proponents of ballot access reform say that reasonably easy access to the ballot does not lead to a glut of candidates, even where many candidates do appear on the ballot. The 1880s reform movement that led to officially designed secret ballots had some salutary effects, but it also gave the government control over who could be on the ballot. As historian Peter Argersinger has pointed out, the reform that empowered officials to regulate access onto the ballot, also carried the danger that this power would be abused by officialdom and that legislatures controlled by established political parties (specifically, the Republican and Democratic Parties), would enact restrictive ballot access laws to influence election outcomes to ensure re-election of their party’s candidates.

    Perhaps the most prominent advocate of the 1880s ballot reform movement, Dean Wigmore, suggested that “ten signatures” might be an appropriate requirement for nomination to the official ballot for a legislative office. In the 20th century, ballot access laws imposing signature requirements far more restrictive than Wigmore had envisioned were enacted by many state legislatures; in many cases, the two major parties wrote the laws such that the burdens created by these new ballot access requirements (usually in the form of difficult signature-gathering nominating petition drives) fell on alternative candidates, but not on major party candidates.[2] Proponents of more open ballot access argue that restricting ballot access has the effect of unjustly restricting the choices available to voters, and typically disadvantages third party candidates and other candidates who are not affiliated with the established parties

  • LocalDad May 12, 2018 at 9:24 am

    Why?

    Normally I’m here posting because of how things might impact my children, but this story has got me thinking about my aging parents; both of them would be much better off if they had access to medical marijuana. So I have to guess why and if I’m right about this, shamefully, it will send a pretty large shockwave through my own faith and my own testimony in the church: if my leaders who are so opposed to letting the sick have access to this medicine are profiting from opiate-pharmaceuticals, then “I” have found a way to start to see who is there for God, and who is there for gain.

    So I want to know, why? Not the 22 pages of anecdotal legal mumbo-jumbo… I want to know who is employed by LifeResearch in Sandy, by Johnson and Johnson; who got a raise when the price of epipens skyrocketed? I pray it’s not those who are “religiously” opposed to medical marijuana… Because the earth is not flat anymore, the science is out. This new generation has access to information like never before. And we know, there are people in our state who’s suffering will be eased if this law passes, but we also know, there are people in this state who might not be able to buy a 4th house in Aspin if this law passes.

    • comments May 12, 2018 at 11:42 am

      Sounds like you’re starting to wake up. The church (or should I say “our church”) is all about business, and at the end of the day putting profits above people health and well-being. Orrin Hatch, who has been the darling politician of LDS inc. for decades now, has many many ties to pharma and pharma lobbying. Legalizing natural substances cuts into profits of pharma. Maybe LDS inc. or LDS leadership/royalty own a lot of shares in pharmaceuticals. I’m not interested enough to research it, but I’m not surprised by much of anything when it come to LDS inc.

  • 42214 May 12, 2018 at 10:53 am

    Give the church the profits from sales and it will become a big supporter.

  • justsaying May 12, 2018 at 11:36 am

    “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.”

    Thomas Jefferson

  • utahdiablo May 12, 2018 at 9:37 pm

    Just drive to Mesquite, or Wendover, or Colorado and stock up on legal MJ….easy, problem solved….next?

  • Mike P May 12, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    I’m gunna have a beer. A REAL out of state beer. I don’t care what the church thinks of it.

  • thoughts1 May 13, 2018 at 12:03 am

    @ladybugavenger

    Im so sorry about your son. But I’m happy for both of you that he has found recovery.

    Just to clarify, those whom you knew that went through college smoking pot, probably did not have an addiction to it. Marijuana use is much different than marijuna addiction. The actions of marijuana addicts are very similar to addicts of other substances. My husband and I are actually pretty in tune with our son….and marijuana is his challenge. Most people just don’t have the understanding of the adverse affects it can have on those who become addicted to it.

    From marijuana anonymous.org:
    “A marijuana addict’s life is controlled by marijuana. He or she loses interest in all else, their dreams go up in smoke. Marijuana addiction is a progressive illness often leading to addiction to other drugs, including alcohol. The lives, thinking and desires of marijuana addicts center around marijuana–scoring it, dealing it and finding ways to stay high.“

    • ladybugavenger May 13, 2018 at 7:49 am

      Love and prayers for your son and your family, thoughts1.

      • thoughts1 May 14, 2018 at 12:25 am

        Thank you! I appreciate your kind words!

    • ladybugavenger May 13, 2018 at 8:07 am

      Have you thought about having him arrested for possession of a controlled substance?

      • comments May 13, 2018 at 12:38 pm

        It sounds to me like she’s just looking for something/anything to blame because her son turned out to be a dopehead slacker. Let’s blame the plant, because it’s all the fault of the plant for existing. Ofc it could NEVER EVER be any fault of her son’s, BECAUSE HE’S AN ADDICT CONTROLLED BY THE PLANT, and he’s totally blameless. I bet if her son got hooked on opiods she’d pray that her son would go back to the mj. I wonder if she ever considered that the mj is actually helping the boy with his severe depression? He just didn’t turn out to be this perfect, successful, high achiever and she needs to blame something. About anything can become an addiction, from porn to alcohol to gambling, etc etc etc. I find thoughts1 to be irritating and unreasonable and will not be engaging her again, lol. If people don’t want to hear the truth they will simply block it out. 😉

        • ladybugavenger May 13, 2018 at 3:21 pm

          True story.
          Heck, I’m addicted to coffee.

        • thoughts1 May 14, 2018 at 12:24 am

          I don’t appreciate you talking about my son that way. One day when you have a child you will understand the love of a parent and have a little clearer picture of what I’m talking about.

          Again, I’m sorry that you don’t like what I have to say, but I’m simply sharing facts and experience. I’m simply sharing how marijuana addiction changes a person. I only shared the before and after of my son, to give clarification on how marijuana changes a person. I dont expect perfection from my son, or anyone else. But I do want my son to live a happy and fulfilled life. Marijuana addiction will not do that. And FYI, it can actually make depression worse.

          I do have the right to let others know. This has nothing to do with religion, but it has everything to do with making sure parents are educating their youth, and understanding for themselves what marijuana addiction can entail. I would hope that you too would also want to make sure others have clear information on all sides, so they can make informed decisions in what will be best for them.

          The youth are using marijuana more because people are telling them it’s safe. The more users that we have, the more addicts we will start to see. And btw, People can become addicted to all sorts of things, but not all addictions cause as negative of consequences as a drug addiction, and yes marijuana is a drug addiction. It may not be potentially deadly like opioids are, but it can cause many negative life consequences, unlike a coffee or soda addiction.

          You like to put words in my mouth, of things I never said, and that’s fine. I understand you’re upset because you are very pro marijuana. But I don’t need to be treated the way you are treating me. I’ve never put you down as a person, and I would expect the same respect in return. I would expect a civil dialogue, which is how any controversial topic should be handled, but you don’t want to do that. I will no longer be commenting on these St George discussions, but I will continue to make others aware of what marijuana addiction entails.

          Best of luck to you @comments, I truly hope that you will be able to find some happiness in your life!

          • ladybugavenger May 14, 2018 at 9:38 am

            You know what I got sick of was people telling me my son is a good person. So many enablers failed my son. Blind to the truth they were. So, I would tell them, no hes not, but he will be.

            Watch out thoughts1 and make sure your love isn’t enabling. Watch out for those enablers they will keep your son down

          • comments May 14, 2018 at 1:00 pm

            “Thoughts1”, I’m not “pro marijuana” at all actually. I’m not a parent, but I understand how a lot of parents think. They like to believe that their children are perfect, blameless, faultless. Sometimes it’s even instinctive, especially for mothers. You didn’t even answer a couple of my questions. Is your boy hanging around with a bunch of other teens that smoke dope? That’s usually why they pick this up in the first place and also why they continue it. If your son is this ‘terrible dope addict’ then admit him into a rehab. If he’s underage you as a parent can do that. But as upset as you’ve become I bet I’ve hit on some truths that you’re in denial about. Your son has just turned into a dope smoking slacker who hangs around a bunch of other doper kids. You thought he’d go on an LDS mission and then into medical school. Seems to me you’re going to have to lower your expectations way down, because he isn’t gonna turn out how you’d hoped. He is to blame for his choices. You can’t lay it all on the plant. You are partially to blame as a parent as well. I’m only “pro marijuana” to the extent that I’d like to see real solutions for chronic users and addicts of synthetic opioids. People living with chronic pain need real solutions besides these addictive poisons THAT DO KILL. CANNABIS WILL NEVER KILL YOUR SON NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE USES. You don’t need to be frightened away from these comments because people disagree with you. I’ll say again, I think you’re in denial, and you come off as very smug about it. You need to get over yourself.

      • thoughts1 May 14, 2018 at 12:29 am

        To answer your question…. he is a minor, so the law is handled differently with them, but we have had to involve law enforcement. A very difficult thing to have to do as a parent. But that’s when you have to love them enough to do what will potentially be the most helpful.
        We have seen some improvements, but just like any other drug addict, despite the negative consequences, the behaviors are still continuing.
        Thanks for your concern!

        • ladybugavenger May 14, 2018 at 9:39 am

          I understand, the law didnt help me at all. But I tried, just like you did.

          • thoughts1 May 14, 2018 at 10:29 am

            We wouldn’t have involved law enforcement if I didn’t understand enabling. I can love my son, but not love his choices. That’s one of the very difficult lessons of addiction is learning how to separate loving and enabling.

  • Waid May 13, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    The only reason the LDS mumbo-jumbo purveyors are against medical marijuana is that they haven’t figured out a way to make major $$$ from it! Once the brainwashed LDS hypocrites come up with a way to get “their cut” they’ll be singing a different hymn.

  • RadRabbit May 14, 2018 at 9:58 am

    Still illegal on the federal level.

  • max May 14, 2018 at 11:52 am

    If you need this crap, go somewhere else and get it. Don’t bring your problems here where they are not wanted. There are plenty of other states that will accept you and smoke all the dope that you please. Just leave and take your problems with you.

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